A meeting was convened in December 1910 with othe object of forming a motor cycle club for the Ilkley area. As a result, the Ilkley & District Motor Cycle Club was established with its headquarters at the Crescent Hotel, Ilkley. Membership was to be restricted to residents of local towns and villages and 30 members were soon on the register. Silver cups and gold medals were promised and a varied programme of social and competitive events was arranged.
Activities for the thriving Club were curtailed during the First World War but in 1919 the Club was re-organised and in view of the growing interest in light cars and cycle cars, the name of the Club was changed to Ilkley Motor Cycle and Light Car Club. In the twenties the Club achieved great success with both its riders and organisers. Following a move of headquarters down the Wharfe to Otley and a further change of name to Ilkley & District Motor Club, the Club continued to expand with over 6000 spectators recorded as attending some events.
The depression of the thirties, the Second World War, petrol restrictions and even foot and mouth disease could not dampen the enthusiasm of members and the Club has always continued to move with the time to meet the requirements of motor sport and the Club members. The year 2010 saw the celebration of the Club’s Centenary – a remarkable achievement for a remarkable Club.
In 1999, the Club was again awarded the prestigious title of MSA Motor Club of the year. The Club had already held that accolade in 1995. The citation from the MSA noted the excellence of the press coverage we achieve and the then recently published ‘So This is Yorkshire’.
More recently
The Club organises many types of events for Club members, as well as rounds of national and regional championships. These events include autotests, car trials, historic road rallys , karting, navigational scatters , and motorcycle trials, as well as many social events, including ‘Noggin and Natters’, games nights, the annual dinner dance, brewery trips etc. For our younger and family members there are trips to theme parks, visits from Santa, to name but a few.
In December 2010, we had around 430 members, making us one of the largest motor clubs in the North of England. Over the years the members of the club have gone on to become world champions and at the moment the Club has members representing England in Autotests.
There are many championships within the club, including best overall club competitor, best ladies, under 23’s, over 45’s, over 65’s, top stage, road rally and historic drivers and navigators, top scatter team and much, much more.
Want more information?
Our headquarters are at Guiseley Cricket Club, Nethermoor Park, Guiseley LS20 8BT. Don’t worry about being too far away as we have members in New Zealand!
To contact any of the officials please select Who to contact from the navigation, or to apply to become a member, print off the Membership Application Form and post to the address shown on it.
